Proposed 4 a.m. bar closing time met with mixed emotions

Chronicle file photo/Cory MorseThe proposal to extend bar hours to 4 a.m. is part of the governor's plan to raise $230 million in "added revenue" to help balance the budget. In this 2004 photo, Mike Tozer has a beer and a smoke at the Lakeshore Tavern, 1963 Lakeshore.

Allowing bar patrons to drink further into the wee hours could increase the strain on bar staff and force police to beef up patrols at a time when many are already pinching their pennies or facing cutbacks, they say.

"You're adding a two-hour window for people to become intoxicated and then they're out on the road," said Muskegon County Sheriff Dean Roesler. "I think we could see an increase in traffic accidents with an increase in fatalities."

The proposal, which also includes additional retail vendor fees for early-Sunday liquor sales in stores, is part of the governor's plan to raise $230 million in "added revenue" to help balance the budget.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm says the move, which would let bar owners buy a license to serve alcohol until 4 a.m., would raise as much as $9.15 million. Bar owners currently can serve until 2 a.m.

Chronicle file photo/Cory MorseAllowing bar patrons to drink further into the wee hours could increase the strain on bar staff, some bar owners say. In this 2000 photo, W.J. Oyler, right, and Heidi Damm share a round of drinks with friends at the Blue Note, 760 W. Broadway.

"We need to close a $1.4 billion shortfall, and her recommendations include $670 million in spending cuts, the use of a half-billion in economic recovery dollars and $230 million in additional revenues," said Granholm spokeswoman Liz Boyd.

Despite a potential boost in sales, some area bar owners aren't sure the plan is right for them.

On some nights, such as during the 11-day Muskegon Summer Celebration, he sees the potential for a boost in sales. On others, when the downtown streets are empty, he sees it as a drain on his staff and budget.

"If you only get five or six people to stay until 4 a.m. it might not be worth it," Tolliver said, citing the cost of keeping staff on duty. "The majority of people that are out drinking aren't interested in staying out 'til 4 a.m."

That's not typically the case at Mike's Inn in downtown Muskegon. Linda Haas, who has tended bar there for 26 years, said Mike's is typically packed until closing time on most weekend nights.

"They might never leave if we didn't make them," she said.

Still, by 2 a.m. she says most people have had enough. Serving until 4 a.m. could turn ugly.

"Just the drunks and true alcoholics would be there," Haas said. "You're going to have more fights and bad behavior."

Even bar goers are mixed on the idea.

Last call often comes too early for patrons like Summer Dwyer, a 22-year-old Muskegon resident, who often shares a drink with friends at the Marine Tap Room in Muskegon.

"It would give us more time to hang out," she said, adding that 2 a.m. "seems kind of early some nights."

Others, such as Tom Tamladge, say 2 a.m. is late enough.

"By 2 a.m., you've either had enough to drink or you should be at home," the 39-year-old Norton Shores resident said. "It's going to give them time to have four or five more drinks, and that's not going to make the streets any safer."

The proposed budget assumes the state would sell 3,050 late liquor licenses for $1,500 each and 6,100 licenses for extended Sunday package sales for $1,500 each, Boyd said. Currently, no liquor is sold on Sundays between midnight and noon.

A Muskegon liquor store manager doesn't see demand popping up, even if sales are legalized.

Alister Jackson, general manager at Lighthouse Liquor and More in Muskegon, said in his eight years at the store he hasn't had anyone complain about the ban on Sunday morning liquor sales.

"So many people are at church at that time," Jackson said. "Most people don't start drinking on Sunday 'til the afternoon."